Our Solar Program

The Recycle Depot went 100% solar-powered in 2020 through Wellspring Components. We get net metering from NIPSCO. As of 2022, our electric bill is $60 a month every month.

Depot Solar Fact Sheet

Physical structures

North Array

• System size: 16.79 kW
• Year 1 production = 19,452 kWh
• Ground-mounted array with 46 solar modules
• 1 inverter

West Array

• System size: 7.30 kW
• Year 1 production 8,448 kWh
• Ground-mounted array with 20 solar modules
• 1 inverter

Costs

Cost to Depot

• North Array ($34,923) + West Array ($16,141) = $51,064.00
• Actual price: $50,250.00 ($2.08 per watt)
• Payback Period
  • North Array = 12.7 years
  • West Array = 13.5 years

Cost Savings

• The Depot will save $297.00 on its electric bill every month
• The Depot will save $24,007.00 over the lifetime of the system, including purchase cost
• Monthly electric utility bill: $48.00 (combined)
• Year 1 Total Utility Costs = $576.00 (combined)

Emissions Offsets

Combined energy savings equivalent to:

• Planting 15,357 trees
• Driving 59,299 fewer miles per year
• Taking 130 cars off the road